Illinois Personnel Records Review Act: A New Era of Transparency and AccessBy Nicholas CorrellGovernment Lawyers, November 2024Changes to the Personnel Records Review Act take effect January 1, 2025. The Act applies to employers who have at least five employees or more and allows employees to review their personnel records. Changes to the Act will allow an employee the right to not only inspect their personnel records, but they may also make and receive copies of various documents.
New Department of Justice Local Government Website RulesBy Phillip LenziniGovernment Lawyers, November 2024On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice published its final rule updating the regulations under Title II of The Americans with Disabilities Act. This is the critical date for determining the compliance date. The rule has specific requirements to ensure that web content and mobile apps of units of government are accessible to people with disabilities.
Pro Bono Work and Government LawyersBy Jenifer L. JohnsonGovernment Lawyers, November 2024A note on pro bono opportunities for government lawyers.
Roz Kaplan Government Service Award Call for NominationsBy Lindsay M. BentivegnaGovernment Lawyers, November 2024The Standing Committee on Government Lawyers annually awards one government lawyer with the Roz Kaplan Award for outstanding government service. Please consider nominating a deserving government lawyer. The deadline for award submission is Monday, March 3, 2025.
What Is Civility Anymore in Government Practice?By Angela Fyans-JimenezGovernment Lawyers, November 2024Civility in government practice is crucial for fostering trust, collaboration, and effective communication among officials, constituents, and stakeholders. It involves respectful dialogue, transparency, and a commitment to ethical behavior. If, we, as government practitioners plant the seeds of civility at our level, the hope is that it will grow through multiple levels of governance.
Resources for Administrative Rule ResearchersBy Jenifer Johnson, Nicholas Correll, Peter Ladwein, Phil Lenzini, & Jim WebbElder Law, July 2023Although it is a frequently overlooked step, reviewing administrative rules is critical in any research project concerning state agency action.
In-SitesBy Kathryn KellyGovernment Lawyers, June 2023Useful resources that address consumer protection and fraud.
Lobbying in the Land of LincolnBy Paul ThompsonGovernment Lawyers, June 2023Summaries of recent amendments to the Lobbyist Registration Act and Illinois Governmental Ethics Act that impact lobbying statewide.
Resources for Administrative Rule ResearchersBy Jenifer Johnson, Nicholas Correll, Peter Ladwein, Phil Lenzini, & Jim WebbGovernment Lawyers, June 2023Although it is a frequently overlooked step, reviewing administrative rules is critical in any research project concerning state agency action.
Recent Cases Examining the Constitutionality of Federal Administrative ProceedingsBy Robert P. OsgoodGovernment Lawyers, June 2022Two recent cases out of the fifth circuit call into question whether federal administrative proceedings, specifically those at the Securities and Exchange Commission, violate constitutional provisions.
Take Care of the Best Machine You Own! Part IIBy Robert Fioretti & Nicki Pecori FiorettiGovernment Lawyers, March 2022Wellness tips to be the best version of yourself for your clients, colleagues, and family.
Take Care of the Best Machine You Own! Part IIBy Robert Fioretti & Nicki Pecori FiorettiCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, March 2022Wellness tips to be the best version of yourself for your clients, colleagues, and family.
Open Meetings Act: An Updated PrimerBy Phillip LenziniGovernment Lawyers, November 2021An overview of The Open Meetings Act, which was enacted to protect the citizens’ right to know the actions and reasoning of public body decisions.
General Assembly Passes Ethics Reform BillBy Robert P. OsgoodGovernment Lawyers, August 2021In late summer, the Illinois General Assembly passed an ethic reform bill that would make several changes to the Governmental Ethics Act, State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, the Election Code, and the Lobbyist Registration Act.
Unemployment Insurance FraudBy Kevin Lovellette & Will GombergGovernment Lawyers, May 2021With unemployment insurance fraud on the rise, it is important to know how to quickly take action to address the situation.
What’s App: Government Apps for YouGovernment Lawyers, February 2021A list of several federal government apps that may help you with your practice.
The Public Policy Exception to Enforcing Collective Bargaining Agreements: City of Chicago v. Fraternal Order of Police and Section 8.4By Peter J. Orlowicz & Julia StublenLocal Government Law, December 2020In June, the Illinois Supreme Court held that Illinois law establishes a well-defined and dominant public policy concerning the procedures for retention and destruction of government records, and that an arbitration award forcing Chicago to comply with section 8.4 in contravention of the Local Records Act was void and unenforceable because the award violated that public policy.
Appeals Court Reinstates Suit Alleging Improper Borrowing by the StateBy Robert P. OsgoodGovernment Lawyers, November 2020On August 6, 2020, the appellate court overturned a circuit court ruling dismissing Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman’s lawsuit surrounding Illinois’ issuance of general obligation bonds in 2003 and 2017.
The Public Policy Exception to Enforcing Collective Bargaining Agreements: City of Chicago v. Fraternal Order of Police and Section 8.4By Peter J. Orlowicz & Julia StublenGovernment Lawyers, November 2020In June, the Illinois Supreme Court held that Illinois law establishes a well-defined and dominant public policy concerning the procedures for retention and destruction of government records, and that an arbitration award forcing Chicago to comply with section 8.4 in contravention of the Local Records Act was void and unenforceable because the award violated that public policy.
What’s AppBy Kathryn KellyGovernment Lawyers, March 2020A list of apps that may be helpful for lawyers trying to improve efficiency and organization.
P.A. 101-221: Workplace Transparency ActBy Phillip LenziniLocal Government Law, February 2020A summary of significant changes in Illinois law that went into effect on December 1 as a result of the Workplace Transparency Act.
P.A. 101-221: Workplace Transparency ActBy Phillip LenziniGovernment Lawyers, November 2019A summary of significant changes in Illinois law that will go into effect on December 1 as a result of the Workplace Transparency Act.
A Data Breach: Now What?By Jenifer L. JohnsonGovernment Lawyers, August 2019With all that information in the hands of governmental entities, government lawyers must know the appropriate legal steps to take in the event of a data breach.
